Batter Up

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Batter Up
 

State Standard: 1, 3, & 4
Equipment: Mats, Cones, long-handled implements, and balls. Grade: 3-5 (K-2 possibly)
Purpose of Event: Striking with a Long-Handled Implement (S1.E25), Fielding/Catching a batted ball (S1.E16)
Time: 18-25 minutes

 

Organization: Place mats for boundaries between ‘batting cages’ facing a long wall for more space to use and hit into (dependent on your gym size). Place hitting tees or large pylons to hit from (students can have the option to throw and hit their own ball). Across from the hitting tees, place another pylon as the ‘base.’ (Feet poly spots are optional for hitters)

Description:

The batter hits the ball into the ‘field,’ drops the bat, runs to the ‘base’ (pylon), touches the pylon with their hand, and then runs back to the batting tee (home) and touches it.

The fielder retrieves and returns the ball to the batting tee (home).

SAFE = If the batter gets to the ‘base’ and back ‘home’ first, the batter is SAFE.

OUT = If the fielder retrieves the ball and touches ‘home’ first OR they catch the ball before it hits the ground, the batter is OUT.

The batter then goes to the back of the fielder line. The fielder then becomes the next batter.

Variations:

  • Make the playing area bigger or smaller depending on grade level and ability
  • Make the batter run to the base and back more times
  • Make the fielder do an exercise before they have to get the ball
Concerns: Review how to keep your eyes up to ensure you will not run into another fielder or batter. Cannot obstruct another field or batter’s way to the ball or base. RPS if there is a tie at home
This idea is from Matt Eichel, a Physical Education Teacher at St. Ignatius School. 

 

 

Modified Baseball Game

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Modified Baseball Game

State Standard: 1, 2, & 4
Equipment: 5 Batting Tees, Several Poly-spots, 5 cones, & yarnballs or gator-skin balls.  Grade: 3-5
Purpose of Event: Throwing (Frisbee tossing), teamwork, batting skills, & catching
Time: 15-20 minutes
Organization: Set up 5 multi-colored cones on side of the gym. Spread out the same color of poly spots in a straight line (representing one team). Have one batting tee per team by each cone, along with a bat. 

Description: Students will work in groups. Their job is to practice different baseball positions and practice batting off a tee or from a thrown ball. This game is for those teachers who do NOT have field or baseball diamond for activity space. Each student will practice batting, pitching, catching, and fielding. The poly spots represent a different outfield position; such as the outfield, infield, pitcher, and catcher. The batting tee will represent the batter position. When a player hits the ball off of the tee or from a thrown ball they must run to a designated location (in my gym it is the curtain) and back without being tagged by the ball, which represents an out. After this the batter becomes the outfield (stands on a poly spot), and the next person rotates up to the next position in line and the game keeps going until the time is up.

Rule: Make sure students are NOT moving out of turn in their positions! Make sure students are NOT throwing the ball at the runners! They must touch them with the ball! You can also remove this option as well. 
Concerns: Move safely around the gym. 
This idea is from: